This is an IELTS Writing Task 1 Sample Answer from the real exam about a process or diagram related to generating electricity (taken from MacMillan IELTS Writing).

Processes are always a bit tricky and you should spend some time studying them in case if they come up on your exam.

They are rarer on IELTS than the graphs and charts but there is still a good chance you will end up with a graph!

Here are some other IELTS Task 1 Writing Sample Answers that I wrote!

Here you can read about how to analyse a process on IELTS and here is another process sample answer related to the production of orange juice.

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IELTS Writing Task 1: Process/Diagram Generating Electricity (by Dave)

The diagram below shows the process of electricity production.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

The process details the steps in the production of electricity. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that energy production involves the combination of coal and oxygen undergoing various chemical processes including heating that result in gases that then power two different types of turbines to produce electricity.

In the earliest stages, coal is transported by ramp to a furnace where it is heated and combined with oxygen. The waste byproduct of this is slag and the desired gas (raw syngas) is then sent for removal of its harmful contaminants, CO2, mercury, and sulphur, before the purified gas is used to run a gas turbine connected to a generator. This is the first way that elecrtricity is created.

However, the gas turbine using the purified syngas also produces excess hot gases and these are utilised in a heat recovery steam generator (which releases flue gases into the atmosphere). The generator produces steam which turns the turbines of a steam turbine to generate additional electricity.

Word count: 166

IELTS Examiner Sample Answer Analysis

1. The process details the steps in the production of electricity. 2. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that energy production involves the combination of coal and oxygen undergoing various chemical processes including heating that result in gases that then power two different types of turbines to produce electricity.

1. My first sentence paraphrases what the process is about. Write this sentence quickly because it isn’t really all that important compared to the sentences that come later.

2. This is the most important sentence of your writing. You can put it here or write it in a conclusion. For a process, try to divide it up into 2, 3 or 4 main stages and describe those stages in some way. Don’t include too much detail but don’t simply write the number of stages – that is not specific enough!

1. In the earliest stages, coal is transported by ramp to a furnace where it is heated and combined with oxygen. 2. The waste byproduct of this is slag and the desired gas (raw syngas) is then sent for removal of its harmful contaminants, CO2, mercury, and sulphur, before the purified gas is used to run a gas turbine connected to a generator. 3. This is the first way that elecrtricity is created.

1. The first sentence begins with the first stages of the process.

2. My second sentence continues to describe it. Try to have a mix of long and short sentences to show off your range of grammar but also keep your writing clear.

3. The final sentence sums up how electricity is made (one way).

1. However, the gas turbine using the purified syngas also produces excess hot gases and these are utilised in a heat recovery steam generator (which releases flue gases into the atmosphere). 2. The generator produces steam which turns the turbines of a steam turbine to generate additional electricity.

1. The first sentence continues the process by showing the other way electricity is produced.

2. The second sentence finishes the essay. You do not need a conclusion (unless if you didn’t write an overview yet).

Sample Answer Vocabulary

Figure out what the words in bold mean by reading the sentences around them. Write down the meaning and then check your answers below.

The process details the steps in the production of electricity. Looking from an overall perspective, it is readily apparent that energy production involves the combination of coal and oxygen undergoing various chemical processes including heating that result in gases that then power two different types of turbines to produce electricity.

In the earliest stages, coal is transported by ramp to a furnace where it is heated and combined with oxygen. The waste byproduct of this is slag and the desired gas (raw syngas) is then sent for removal of its harmful contaminants, CO2, mercury, and sulphur, before the purified gas is used to run a gas turbine connected to a generator. This is the first way that elecrtricity is created.

However, the gas turbine using the purified syngas also produces excess hot gases and these are utilised in a heat recovery steam generator (which releases flue gases into the atmosphere). The generator produces steam which turns the turbines of a steam turbine to generate additional electricity.

Answers:

details: describes

overall perspective: overview/generally

readily apparent: very clear

involves: has to do with

combination: mixes

undergoing: goes through

chemical processes: related to the transformation of the substances

result in: leads to

power: makes it work (the verb form of power)

In the earliest stages: at the beginning

ramp: a long plank leading upwards to transport something

furnace: a hot chamber for creating heat

byproduct: secondary or unintended result

slag: the byproduct of some processes/trash basically

syngas: a fuel gas mixture

removal: takes out of

harmful contaminants: pollutants

purified gas: clean gas

run: works on/is powered by

gas turbine: a machine that produces energy from gas

generator: a machine that creates electricity

excess hot gases: extra gas produced in the process

utilised: used for

atmosphere: the air

steam: hot air

Pronunciation:

ˈdiːteɪlz 

ˈəʊvərɔːl pəˈspɛktɪv 

ˈrɛdɪli əˈpærənt 

ɪnˈvɒlvz 

ˌkɒmbɪˈneɪʃən 

ˌʌndəˈgəʊɪŋ 

ˈkɛmɪkəl ˈprəʊsɛsɪz 

rɪˈzʌlt ɪn 

ˈpaʊə 

ɪn ði ˈɜːlɪɪst ˈsteɪʤɪz 

ræmp   

ˈfɜːnɪs 

ˈbaɪˌprɒdʌkt 

slæg 

syngas 

rɪˈmuːvəl 

ˈhɑːmfʊl kənˈtæmɪnənts 

ˈpjʊərɪfaɪd gæs 

rʌn 

gæs ˈtɜːbɪn 

ˈʤɛnəreɪtə 

ɪkˈsɛs hɒt ˈgæsɪz 

ˈjuːtɪˌlaɪzd 

ˈætməsfɪə 

stiːm

Vocabulary Practice

Remember and fill in the blanks:

The process ______________ the steps in the production of electricity. Looking from an ______________, it is ______________ that energy production ______________ the ______________ of coal and oxygen ______________ various ______________ including heating that ______________ gases that then ______________ two different types of turbines to produce electricity.

______________, coal is transported by ______________ to a ______________ where it is heated and combined with oxygen. The waste ______________ of this is ______________ and the desired gas (raw ______________) is then sent for ______________ of its ______________, CO2, mercury, and sulphur, before the ______________ is used to ______________ a ______________ connected to a ______________. This is the first way that elecrtricity is created.

However, the gas turbine using the purified syngas also produces ______________ and these are ______________ in a heat recovery steam generator (which releases flue gases into the ______________). The generator produces ______________ which turns the turbines of a steam turbine to generate additional electricity.

Learn More about Electricity:

Electricity 101